Russian Companies are Interested in Participation in the Restoration of Iraq

Russian companies are interested in participation in the restoration of Iraq, Russian vice premier and finance minister Alexei Kudrin stated in Washington. He arrived in the US capital to take part in a meeting of G8 finance ministers and the spring session of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Russian companies are implementing dozens of contracts to build thermal power stations, hydrotechnical structures, grain elevators and other objects designed for the Iraqi people, Kudrin told the press on Friday after the meeting with US Treasury Secretary John Snow. "No one wants the construction of these objects to be stopped halfway," said the Russian vice premier.

He also recalled the experience of donor conferences on assistance to Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. In Kudrin's words, Russia may take part in such events on Iraq as well, however, they should be held under the aegis of the UN and other international organizations.

He also said that during his meeting with the US Treasury Secretary, they had discussed "business relations" between the two countries. In Kudrin's words, the sides confirmed all the main agreements which are being implemented now, in particular, in trade. The ministers also discussed prospects for Russia's accession to the WTO and the support that the USA can give it in this issue.